About this Space

Community is a cornerstone of our work and transcends geography, space and time. Collaboration and the aesthetics of access define our processes - a principle that makes accessibility and inclusion intrinsic aspects of all creative content from concept to formal presentation. We hope Picasso PRO is in some measure an agent of social change. All our activities are grounded in a commitment to your creative, professional and human rights.

When working with an oppressed group, have you ever asked yourself, “What does it mean to be an Ally?” Throughout my life as a Queer woman with disabilities, I have experienced many situations of tokenism, and even objectification. This has been within activist circles, but it has also been extremely prevalent in the arts world. I have seen it with some of Canada’s foremost theatre and dance professionals. Ranging from pity to outright objectification, the Integrated Arts movement has not gained the respect it rightfully deserves.

Is there a whole new language to be discovered here that communicates in an entirely different way? Able-bodied people always refer to 'body language' - what they mean is "able-bodied language". Can we turn this around artistically and professionally? Can the performers in this group make statements about what it feels like to be disabled, about aspirations, hidden thoughts, things they never want to hear again?